Special Issues

Coatings publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Advances in Electrically Conductive Coatings: Materials, Preparation and Applications
edited by
submission deadline 10 May 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2019 | Submission Open
Keywords: conductive coating; carbon-based material; optoelectronic film; electromagnetic shielding; flexible electronics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Surface Coating, Functionalization, and Characterization of Cell- and Tissue-Based Biomaterials
edited by
submission deadline 10 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 591 | Submission Open
Keywords: biomaterial surface modification; cell– material interactions; functional coatings; smart coatings; tissue engineering; biointerface characterization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Coatings for Biomedicine and Bioengineering)
Advanced Surface Treatment Technologies of Alloys/Steels: Mechanical and Tribological Performances
edited by , Yichen Meng and Zdzisław Nowak
submission deadline 10 May 2026 | Viewed by 156 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced coatings and top layers; wear resistance of coatings and top layers; computer modelling of coatings and top layers; microstucture of coatings and top layers
Advanced Technologies in Durability Enhancement of Concrete: Coatings, Low-Carbon Cements, Additives and Admixtures
edited by , Yanru Wang, Ran Li and Chuansheng Xiong
submission deadline 15 May 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 845 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings; microstructure; permeability; low-carbon cement
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Advanced Films and Coatings for High Energy Storage Systems
edited by
submission deadline 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 288 | Submission Open
Keywords: nanostructured films; thin film technologies; conductive coatings; electrochemical performance; energy density; solid-state batteries; hybrid supercapacitors; functional nanocomposites; electrolyte materials; interface engineering; surface functionalization; charge transport mechanisms
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Advanced Coating Protection Technology in the Oil and Gas Industry
edited by Dezhi Zeng
submission deadline 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 132 | Submission Open
Keywords: protective corrosion coatings; oil and gas industry service environment; failure analysis; degradation mechanisms; performance evaluation modeling of coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Ceramic-Based Coatings for High-Performance Applications
edited by Yuhou Wu
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2253 | Submission Open
Keywords: ceramic-based coatings; preparation methods; structural characterizations; high-performance applications; damage evolution modelling of coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Ceramic Coatings and Engineering Technology)
Mechanical, Corrosion, and Wear Properties of Metallic Materials/Coatings
edited by , , and Zhiwei Lu
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 996 | Submission Open
Keywords: protective corrosion coatings; wear-resistant coatings; performance modification; extreme environments; surface science and engineering
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Advanced Thin Films Technologies for Optics, Electronics, and Sensing, 2nd Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 574 | Submission Open
Keywords: smart coatings & materials; 2D materials and flexible electronics; machine learning for materials discovery; data-driven materials optimisation; microstructure– property relationship; hybrid materials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Coatings for Biomedical Applications: Biocompatibility, Drug Delivery, Antibiosis and Tissue Engineering
edited by and
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 521 | Submission Open
Keywords: preparation techniques; coatings; characterization and biomedical applications; surfaces and interfaces; nanomaterials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactive Coatings and Biointerfaces)
Corrosion-Resistant Coatings: Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties
edited by Bo Guan, Jing Xu, and Changjian Yan
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 241 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced coating materials; surface engineering; characterization techniques; mechanical properties; modelling and simulation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Coatings for Cutting Tools: Their Design, Manufacture, Performance and Optimization
edited by Tao Zhou and Hao Du
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 164 | Submission Open
Keywords: multi-scale design of tool coatings; deposition and post-treatment processes; membrane-based interface and stress regulation; wear resistance mechanism and cutting adaptability; performance simulation and collaborative process optimization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Thin Films: Materials, Fabrication Techniques, and Applications submission deadline 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 152 | Submission Open
Keywords: thin films; vacuum deposition; sol– gel coatings; functional nanostructures; hybrid thin films
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Ultrafast Laser-Engineered Surfaces for Smart and Adaptive Functionality
edited by Chi Wai Chan
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 130 | Submission Open
Keywords: ultrafast laser processing; surface functionalization; laser texturing; smart coatings; adaptive surfaces
(This special issue belongs to the Section Laser Coatings)
Modification and Technology of Thin Films
edited by and Dongil Ho
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 119 | Submission Open
Keywords: thin films; surface modification; deposition techniques; semiconductor; insulator; metal nanostructuring; functional coatings; sputtering; sol-gel processing; thin film morphology; multilayer films; self-assembled monolayers; physical vapor deposition; chemical vapor deposition; atomic layer deposition; plasma-enhanced deposition; thin film characterization; thin film stress; adhesion properties; hybrid materials; microelectronics; renewable energy; biomedical coatings; optical properties; transistor; flexible electronics; photovoltaics; battery; sensors
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Anti-Corrosion Coatings: New Ideas to Make Them More Effective
edited by
submission deadline 25 May 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 14429 | Submission Open
Keywords: anti-corrosion coatings; high-performance coatings; coating testing; coating reliability; multifunctional coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Advanced Biomaterials, Coatings and Techniques: Applications in Medicine and Dentistry, 2nd Edition submission deadline 25 May 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 3021 | Submission Open
Keywords: biomaterials; dental materials; novel technologies; protective coatings; bioactive coatings; antibacterial coatings; regenerative medicine
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Coatings for Biomedicine and Bioengineering)
Laser-Enhanced Wettability Control: Superhydrophilic and Superhydrophobic Surfaces
edited by Jingnan Zhao and Yan Wang
submission deadline 25 May 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1914 | Submission Open
Keywords: superhydrophilic; superhydrophobic; laser surface modification; surface structure control; durability; antifouling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Laser Coatings)
Advanced Strategies for Biofilm Prevention and Disruption: Materials, Coatings, Nanotechnologies, and Predictive AI Models
edited by and Dan Cristian Grecu
submission deadline 25 May 2026 | Viewed by 511 | Submission Open
Keywords: biofilms; biofilms on medical implants (metal; ceramic; plastic); biofilms in the food industry; destroying a biofilm; destroying a biofilm in vivo; electromagnetic field and biofilm; anti-biofilm coatings on implant (metal; ceramic; plastic); nanotechnology and new strategies; antimicrobial nanoparticles; silver (AgNPs) and copper (CuNPs) to prevent bacterial adhesion.; nanoceramic with antibiotic release.; antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) coating materials; bacteriophages coating materials; AI and quantum machine learning (QML); quantum chemistry simulations (e.g.; Hartree– Fock; DFT); new material combinations with QML algorithms; modeling the behavior of biomolecules on a surface; quantum simulators (Qiskit chemistry); regulatory aspects
(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactive Coatings and Biointerfaces)
Functional Coatings for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion
edited by Chunfeng Meng
submission deadline 25 May 2026 | Viewed by 131 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional coatings; energy storage; electrochemistry; surface modification technology; surface and interface
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Advanced Repair Strategies for Ceramic Coatings
edited by
submission deadline 25 May 2026 | Viewed by 93 | Submission Open
Keywords: self-healing; energy-assisted repair; defect detection
(This special issue belongs to the Section Ceramic Coatings and Engineering Technology)
Polymeric Edible Coatings: Synthesis, Properties, and Cross-Industry Applications
edited by and Ayesha Sani
submission deadline 28 May 2026 | Viewed by 151 | Submission Open
Keywords: biodegradable polymer coatings; antimicrobial nanocoatings; edible coatings; polymeric hybrid coatings; wearable electronics coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
Advanced Metallic Materials: Corrosion Protection and Surface Engineering
edited by Xiaoru Zhuo
submission deadline 30 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1129 | Submission Open
Keywords: novel corrosion-resistant alloys; advanced surface modification techniques; corrosion mechanisms; corrosion protection; surface engineering
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Advanced Surface Coatings for Biomedical and Industrial Applications
edited by , , and Guillermo Cesar Mondragón Rodríguez
submission deadline 30 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 367 | Submission Open
Keywords: bio-coatings; in vitro; multifunctional coatings; functionalization; biomaterials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Coatings for Biomedicine and Bioengineering)
Coatings and Thin Films for Food Packaging and Preservation
edited by and
submission deadline 30 May 2026 | Viewed by 227 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings/films; food preservation; food packaging; antibacterial and antioxidant; green packaging
(This special issue belongs to the Section Coatings for Food Technology and System)
Surface and Interface Characteristics of Pavements: New Perspectives and Applications
edited by Kui Hu, Wanyan Ren, Shihao Dong and Sen Han
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | 9 articles | Viewed by 13167 | Submission Open
Keywords: pavement surface functionality; asphalt mixture adhesion; interface characteristics; semi-flexible pavements; innovative pavement materials; pavement durability and sustainability; surface texture analysis; environmental impact of pavement coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Aspects in Colloid and Interface Science)
Advanced Functional Nanostructured Films and Coatings for Energy Applications, 2nd Edition submission deadline 31 May 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 7886 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced energy materials; functional materials; nanocomposites; nanostructured materials; smart materials; polymeric coatings; hybrid coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Components for Hard Coatings, 2nd Edition
edited by
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 5445 | Submission Open
Keywords: additive manufacturing; selective laser melting; direct energy deposition; laser cladding; metals; metal matrix composites; cermets; hard coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Innovative Coatings for Corrosion Protection of Alloy Surfaces submission deadline 31 May 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 4934 | Submission Open
Keywords: bio-coatings; functionalized coatings; sustainable coatings; smart coatings; advanced coatings; self-healing coatings; multifunctional coatings; anodic coatings; cathodic coatings; thermal spray coating; hybrid coating
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
New Materials as Protective Coatings for Different Substrates (Wood, Stone, Paper, and Textile): Synthesis, Characterization Techniques and Their Applications submission deadline 31 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1735 | Submission Open
Keywords: new materials (new sustainable materials); characterization; protective coatings; case studies; analytical techniques; durability assessment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Metallic Materials and Alloys: Corrosion Protection, Mechanical Properties and Applications
edited by José Saúl Arias-Cerón
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1326 | Submission Open
Keywords: corrosion; metal alloys; protective coatings; mechanical properties; wear resistance; microstructure
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Innovative Thin Films and Coatings for Solar Cells submission deadline 31 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 858 | Submission Open
Keywords: novel energy materials; vacuum coatings; non-vacuum coatings; thin film solar cells; perovskite solar cells; organic solar cell; hybrid solar cells; dye-sensitized solar cells
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Recent Development in Post-Processing for Additive Manufacturing (Second Edition)
edited by and
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 508 | Submission Open
Keywords: additive manufacturing; post-processing; surface modification; interface property; material characterization; hybrid manufacturing; multi-material; dimension accuracy; machining
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Tribological and Corrosion Properties of the Surfaces
edited by Huimin Qi, Song Li and Chunjian Duan
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 319 | Submission Open
Keywords: synthesis of novel polymer thin films; correlations and predictions of rheological and mechanical properties of polymer thin films; novel polymer thin films; novel materials with functional properties; e.g.; conductive; optical; tribological; barrier; protective; and antifouling coatings; among others; relationships between deposition process parameters and polymer thin film microstructures; preparation of sustainable polymer thin films; new trends in polymer thin films and coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Tribology)
Recent Advances in Thermoelectric Materials and Coatings: Structures, Properties and Emerging Applications
edited by Zhi Li
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 236 | Submission Open
Keywords: thermoelectric materials; protective coatings; advanced coating materials; coating technologies; thermal durability; thermal stability; device design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Biodegradable and Bio-Based Coatings for Functional Textiles submission deadline 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 229 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings; bio-based; eco-friendly; renewable; biodegradable
(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactive Coatings and Biointerfaces)
Molecular Research Progress on Corrosion Mechanisms and Advanced Coatings for the Protection of Metals and Alloys
edited by , Angela Blažanović and Joanna Nackiewicz
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 201 | Submission Open
Keywords: corrosion mechanism; corrosion resistance; corrosion in liquid metals; coatings; hot dip galvanizing; thermal spraying; electrogalvanizing; organic coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Synthesis, Characterization, Functional Properties, and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Systems
edited by Emilia Annese and Pedro Schio
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 175 | Submission Open
Keywords: nanostructured coatings; nanoparticles; organic and inorganic coatings and thin films; cutting edge techniques to characterize nanostructures; catalysis; spintronics; optics; quantum materials
Multifunctional Coatings in Alloys/Steels/Metals/Composites: Numerical Simulation, Techniques, Microstructures, and Mechanical Properties
edited by and Jarosław Pia̧tkowski
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 156 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional coatings; alloys; steels; metals; composites; abrasion resistance; microstructure; heat treatment; chemical treatment; surface layer modification; crystallization; ATD thermal analysis; DSC scanning calorimetry
Coating Electrode Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage
edited by and
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 141 | Submission Open
Keywords: coating electrode materials; energy conversion and storage; secondary battery; photo- and electrocatalysis; composite electrode design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Surface Modification, Functional Coatings, and Nanomaterials for Food Safety and Contact Applications submission deadline 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 140 | Submission Open
Keywords: bioactive food packaging; antimicrobial coatings; bioactive nanoparticles
(This special issue belongs to the Section Coatings for Food Technology and System)
Resin-Related Coatings and Thin Films: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications
edited by Heriberto Rodríguez-Tobías and
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 136 | Submission Open
Keywords: resin; coatings; synthesis; application; performance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
Advanced Coatings in Additive Manufacturing
edited by and
submission deadline 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 120 | Submission Open
Keywords: additive manufacturing; nanostructured coatings; machine learning in process optimization; multi-material; 3D printing; surface modification; surface properties; coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Laser Processing and Functional Applications of Coated Tools
edited by , Hua-Tay Lin and
submission deadline 5 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 154 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser surface texturing; tribological behavior; cutting performance; gradient coatings; wettability control of coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Research and Development of Thin Films and Nanostructures for Biological Applications
edited by Patrycja Rawicka, Robert Gawecki and
submission deadline 5 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 115 | Submission Open
Keywords: biocompatible coatings; antimicrobial surfaces; thin films in biomedical applications; nanocarriers for drug delivery; functional nanostructures
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Fabrication and Tribological Properties of Laser Cladding Coatings
edited by Wenqing Shi
submission deadline 5 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 112 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser cladding; wear-resistant coatings; tribological performance; microstructure– property relationships; surface engineering applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Laser Coatings)
Coatings as Key Materials in Catalytic Applications
edited by
submission deadline 10 Jun 2026 | 8 articles | Viewed by 12112 | Submission Open
Keywords: photo-catalytic; electro-catalytic; tribo-catalytic; degradation of organic pollutants; splitting of water; reduction of CO2; coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Welding Techniques in Surface Engineering
edited by
submission deadline 10 Jun 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2653 | Submission Open
Keywords: manufacturing technologies; surface layers; properties and structure; wear; quality
Functional Surface and Coatings for Heritage and Cultural Protection
edited by Almudena Ortiz, and
submission deadline 10 Jun 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 729 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional surfaces; advanced coatings; cultural heritage protection; deterioration mechanics; diagnostic techniques
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Recent Advances in Thin-Film Transistors: From Design to Application
edited by and
submission deadline 10 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 126 | Submission Open
Keywords: thin-film transistors; application-tailored device design; thin-film coatings; advanced display; beyond-display applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
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